10 Things To Do If You Travel To Paris First Time

It doesn’t sound original. These are words that have been told thousand times before I did. This phrase has become a “cliché”.

But when you have to describe Paris you never find the right words. Because Paris is so magical that you get enraptured.

Thus, for you that you’ll travel to Paris for the first time I have prepared a list of the 10 most important sights you have to see.

1. GO UP TO THE EIFFEL TOWER

The iron building which today is the trademark of the City of Lights and once it was hated by the most of the Parisians.

You’ll pass the identity test (be prepared because in Paris this happens all the time, even in Macdonald’s) at the huge area that covers the base of the tower.

If you’d like to get at the tower summit you have to take a place in the queue in order to book the tickets. There are many kiosks and you won’t have to wait too long. If you are in good physical shape and you don’t afraid of going up you can use the stairs and save the ticket.

I think that the view from the second level was better than the view from the third. You’ll get there by using the stairs. Unfortunately, there are iron protective balustrades that spoil the magic. Nevertheless, from there you’ll see the skyline of Paris and it’s worthwhile.

2 . VISIT LOUVRE MUSEUM

Even, in your trips, you belong to those people who don’t get crazy about the museums this one will fascinate you.

It is situated in the centre of Paris and you have to dedicate almost a whole day if you’d like to see the major work of arts. You’ll get jammed in the crowd in order to get a picture of Mona Liza and of many Greek treasures as the Goddess Artemis and the Venus of Milo.

In another section of the Museum, you’ll admire a big collection of the most precious work of arts and furniture that adorned the Versailles Palace. According to my opinion, the Palace furniture and objects that are exposed in Louvre Museum were more impressive than the Versailles Palace itself. Maybe Louvre hosts the best and most important pieces.

3. WALK AT LE MARAIS

Dedicate a morning and wander around the narrow alleys of Le Μarais. Here, you’ll find a detailed article with my wandering there and the Localers guide tour made into a unique experience.

4. NOTRE DAME CATHEDRAL

It’s one of the most beautiful architectural monuments of the world. You cannot but visit it. It is located on the L’ile de la Cite Island.

It took 170 years to be completed. During French Revolution, it was entirely destroyed and it was restored between the years 1841 to 1864.

The extent of this ornament of gothic architecture is 4.800 square meters, 130 meters length. It has two towers of 69 meters and can hold 9.000 people.

5. WALK AT CHAMPS – ELYSSE

Take a stroll along the big boulevard that its length is 1,9km and its width 70 km.

It starts from the Triumph Arc and ends up at the Concorde square.

6. VISIT VERSAILLES PALACE

Versailles palace is Unesco World Heritage.

It is located 30 km outside of Paris and you can get there by train.

At the entrance, you’ll see a huge queue and you are obliged to suffer double as you have to wait first to get the tickets and secondly for your entry. So it’s better to book your tickets online and to avoid the hassle.

I recommend renting a vehicle for your wandering through the gardens. It’s a huge area and their beauty is unique. Remember that you must have your driving license because without it you can’t rent the vehicle. Otherwise, you can use the small train that costs less. You can get on and off at different stops with a single circuit wherever you like and have a walk or just to lie down on the lake banks and return with the next train.

7. WALK TO MONTMARTRE

You can’t visit Paris without taking a stroll in its bohemian neighbourhood.

It’s certain that Montmartre will steal your heart. Climb up to the hill and enjoy a magnificent view of Paris.

Up there, you’ll also see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The construction of its bell started in 1875 and completed in 1914. It weighs 19 tons.

Take a stroll at its alleys, gaze the vagrant painters at work and enjoy a coffee on the sunshine if the weather is nice.

8. AT LUXEMBOURG GARDENS

It’s a very popular and beautiful park which is located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris.

The ponds, the fountains, the greenery, the gyms and the playgrounds are just a few of those you’ll find there.

9. PANTHEON

In ten minutes walk you can get from Luxembourg gardens to Pantheon.

It’s an imposing building of 19th century. Initially, it was a church dedicated to S. Genovefa, the patroness of Paris.

Getting in Pantheon and right in the centre, you’ll see the Foucault’s famous pendulum. Going toward the back side there is an entrance that leads to the mausoleum. Outside of the graves, you’ll read the names of eminent French (and not only) whose their relics are there. Voltaire, Jean Jack Rousseau, Emil Zola, Pierre & Marie Curie, Alexander Dumas (the father) and many others.

10. CRUISE ON RIVER SEINE

Reaching the end I kept the boating on the Seine. This small cruise will make you see Paris from a completely different optic.

You’ll have the luck to pass under many beautiful and imposing bridges as the arch-shaped bridge of Alexander III with the gold statues and the art-nouveau lightings.

At the Seine banks, you’ll see many Parisians, couples and companies gazing the ships and drinking a glass of wine or beers.

These are the most important things you have to see or do if it’s your first visit in Paris.

If you have already gone I’ll be glad to write a comment proposing some other interesting sight that the visitor has to see.